Abstract:
Traveling abroad for health is not a new phenomenon. Medical tourism is actually thousands of years old. In ancient Greece, pilgrims and patients came from all over the Mediterranean to the sanctuary of the healing god, asklepios; the god of healing was located at Epidaurus. In roman Britain, patients took the waters at a shrine at bath, a practice that continued for 2,000 years. During 18th century wealthy Europeans used to visit health resorts in North Africa. But in the past seven years or so, the movement has accelerated sharply. It is growing rapidly and turning out to be an immense business opportunity for nations which have the strategic advantage of having resources in terms of medical technology, infrastructure and right human resources.